BUSINESS chiefs have dubbed the Ribble Valley "boom borough" after the local economy received its third major boost in a week.

A £25 million project to create 1,000 new jobs at a former printworks in the area was unveiled yesterday, just days after Time Computers in Simonstone celebrated its tenth birthday.

The go-ahead firm, which was started in a Blackburn terrace house, now employs 750 and has an annual turnover of £100 million.

Workers at Ultraframe were also thousands of pounds richer after their company was floated.

For every pound invested they received £86.50 and the Ribble Valley was bracing itself for a huge boost, worth more than £2.8 million, on the back of the flotation.

Shops, pubs, restaurants, car dealers and estate agents in Clitheroe have so far benefited from the windfalls.

Now Pilot Properties and Enterprise plc aim to turn the derelict Barrow printworks near Clitheroe into a top business park.

It is hoped to attract technology-based companies to the 40-acre site, which will have a state-of-the-art computer centre at the hub and links with the North-West Technology Web.

David Morris, chief executive of the Ribble Valley Council, said: "The quality of life in the area is exceptionally good and that is what attracts people.

"One of the council's key priorities is encouraging economic growth and the borough is enjoying some incredible successes, Ultraframe and Time Computers being prime examples.

"The latest development at Barrow is particularly positive."

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